The Hogue Cellars 1995 Columbia Valley (Washington State) Fumé
Blanc - Dry Sauvignon Blanc ($8.99)
With the exception of an unfortunate and brief foray into a sweeter style in
the early '90s, this label has reliably provided a good, clean, typical
Sauvignon Blanc for an eminently reasonable price. And this remains true with
the 1995 vintage, despite a startling hike in the local retail price. Pale
greenish-gold color. Light, pleasant melon and green-pea aromas over fresh
citrus fruit. Clean and crisp, simple fruit flavor, citric lemon-lime provides
structure and lasts in a clean, reasonably long finish. PRICE WATCH: Up a
startling $3 from a $5.99 tag for the 1994 vintage at the same Kentucky
retailer in April 1996. (July 29, 1997)

All my wine-tasting reports are consumer-oriented. In order to maintain objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest, I purchase all the wines I rate at my own expense in retail stores.